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KIDS ON THE CAPE SUGGESTS...
BEACH FOR KIDS: Sandwich has no ocean front beaches staffed by lifeguards, so your best bet is Barnstable’s Sandy Neck Beach, bordering Sandwich, on Sandy Neck Beach Rd. off Rte 6A. It’s one of the most spectacular beaches on the Cape, with miles of sand and pebbles, dunes, and flowing marsh grass. There are many shallow pools for paddling and splashing at low tide. Snack bar and full facilities. Parking fee. Freshwater swimming: Wakeby Pond in the Ryder Conservation Area off Sandwich Cotuit Rd. is a great spot, and has lifeguards and restrooms.
PICNIC SPOT: The town marina has picnic tables, a small playground & rest rooms.
FISHING SPOT: Wakeby Lake off South Sandwich Road, a part of the Ryder Conservation area. Open from the Tues. after Memorial Day to the Tues. after Labor Day. With bathhouse and rest rooms, it’s also a good place for swimming.
BIKING TRAIL: The 7 mile paved service road facing both sides of the Canal makes a popular bike trail, but keep your eye on the road. The close-up views of passing freighters, tug boats, cruise ships and sailboats can be a real distraction! Gain access right at the Sandwich Marina on Freezer Road. Parking available.
HIKING TRAIL: The Briar Patch in East Sandwich is a 57-acre town conservation area with plenty of marked woodland trails. Be on the lookout for Peter Cottontail, because it was here that the famous author and pioneering conservationist Thornton Burgess encountered the wild animals which populate his beloved stories for children.
PLAYGROUND: The Sandwich Marina has a great little area with a view! Also check out the Oak Ridge School off Quaker Meetinghouse Road, and the playground at the Wing School on Rte 130.
FISH HATCHERY: 164 Rte 6A. Run by the Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife, this facility has been in operation since 1860. Visitors can buy food and feed the fish! Open daily, 9-3pm. 508-888-0008
SKATEBOARD PARK: The Kenneth Benjamin Fleet Skate Park is located on Quaker Meetinghouse Rd., behind the A & P. Call for hours. 508-888-4361
LIBRARY: 142 Main St. Offers various children’s programs, call for latest information. 508-888-0625
SANDWICH GLASS MUSEUM: See “The Hottest Show in Town” with glassblowing demonstrations daily at this unique museum, located in the heart of historic Sandwich Village. Experience the heat of the furnace and interact with Don Parkinson, glass blower, as he demonstrates glassmaking in all its complexity. Watch Don form molten glass by pressing and blowing. Learn about glassmaking techniques used by The Boston & Sandwich Glass Company in the 19th century. The museum houses an outstanding collection of beautiful blown, pressed, cut and decorated glassware which was made in Sandwich from 1825 to 1907. The gift shop features new contemporary glass artists, perfumes, ornaments, jewelry, paperweights, vases, etc. The museum offers fascinating walking tours highlighting the town’s quintessential examples of American architectural styles and the Sandwich Old Town Cemetery. Call for schedule. 129 Main St. Open daily, 9:30am - 5pm (glassblowing demonstrations 10-4). 508-888-0251
CAPE COD CANAL VISITOR CENTER: Explore the rich history, fascinating features and vigilant operation of the Cape Cod Canal at this Visitor Center. Features include a retired 41-foot US Army Corps of Engineers patrol boat, a 46-seat theater showing continuous DVD presentations on Canal history, Canal Critters and Canal Wildflowers -- plus maritime artifacts, historic photos and interactive monitors. Enjoy the sea breeze and view of ships on the Canal from the rocking chairs on the deck outside the building. Army Corp of Engineers Park Rangers staff the Center and provide free public programs on a variety of subjects. Free admission. Closed Mon. & Tues. 60 Ed Moffitt Dr. 508-833-9678
CANALSIDE PRESENTATIONS: A variety of Ranger-led programs related to the Cape Cod Canal: slide shows, hands-on activities on topics ranging from Canal fish to local history, to shipping, to the railroad bridge, to live touch tanks and more. Weds. & Thurs. eves all summer at the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center (east of the Sandwich Marina), 8pm. 508-759-4431 X622
HERITAGE MUSEUMS AND GARDENS, SANDWICH: Pine and Grove Streets. Kids love the beautifully restored and running old fashioned (circa 1906 -1912) vintage carousel located here along with a pristine collection of museums. Heritage is home to the famous Dexter Rhododendron, which bloom in spectacular profusion all over the 100-acre grounds during Memorial Day and into June. In July and August, over 1,200 hybrid daylilies come into flower, along with annual herb, hosta gardens, and Cape Cod Hydrangea Garden. New for 2010 in the museums is a special exhibit of the works of maritime artist Frank Vining Smith (1979-1967), one of the last painters to focus on depicting the Golden Age of Sail. Be sure to peruse “A Bird in the Hand: The Art of A. Elmer and Cleon Crowell,” an exhibit showcasing a large collection of Crowell bird carvings. A Shaker round barn displays the J. K. Lilly III Antique Automobile Collection, the Art Museum displays folk art and houses the vintage carousel, and a 200-year-old windmill, labyrinth and Hart Family Maze Garden are also located on the grounds. Check out the Museum Store, and stop for a treat at the seasonal cafe. Open daily, 10am to 5pm, April 1-Oct. 31. 508-888-3300 ext. 142.
GREEN BRIAR NATURE CENTER AND KITCHEN: 6 Discovery Hill Rd., just off Rte 6A in E. Sandwich. Nature trails, small live animal exhibits, nature programs for children and families and jam-making workshops in the historic 1903 Jam Kitchen, in operation since 1903. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm. 508-888-6870
THORNTON W. BURGESS MUSEUM: 4 Water St. (Rte 130). Exhibits from the life and works of naturalist and children’s author of “Peter Cottontail.” Outdoor Animal Story Time Mon., Thurs. and Sat., 10:30am in July & Aug. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm, Sun., 1-4pm. 508-888-6870
OUTDOOR BAND CONCERTS: The Sandwich town band performs Thurs. evenings during July and August at 8pm at the Wing School bandstand on Beale Avenue.
TAKE A WALK ON THE BOARDWALK: At Town Neck Beach near the center of town there is a newly rebuilt boardwalk which spans the marshland and is a quiet and peaceful place to meander. Peer directly out over the water at high tide. Plenty of parking.
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